Knee pad



July 5, 1966 D. F. TURNER 3,258,779

KNEE PAD Filed May 22, 1964 Fig./

Douglas E Turner INVENTOR.

United States Patent Ofi ice 3,258,779 Patented July 5, 1966 3,258,779 KNEE PAD Douglas F. Turner, 17421 Main St., Detroit, Mich. Filed May 22, 1964, Ser. No. 369,483 2 Claims. ((31. 2-24) The present invention relates to an improved knee pad of a type which is strapped on the knee of the user, is characterized by a surface contacting manually maneuverable and shiftable base or stand and a complemental knee comforting cushion which functions to minimize painful pressure and attending discomfort such as would otherwise occur.

It is an object of the present invention to improve upon Patent 2,456,472 granted to me on December 14, 1948 and which is characterized, briefly stated, by a base or stand which is constructed of rod material and wherein the rod is bent upon itself to provide upper and lower U-shaped portions and wherein a compressibly resilient kneeling cushion is mounted atop the component parts of the upper U-shaped portion and is provided with suitable legembracing straps.

The present invention embodies several, structural changes which constitute significant improvements. 1n the herein disclosed construction compressibly resilient (rubber or equivalent material), shoes are provided to render the invention more satisfactorily usable by asphalt tile setters and floor layers. Three shoes are provided, one at the center of the bight portion of the lower U- shaped member of the frame and two shoes opposite each other, the last-named shoes being mounted on the rear ward end portions of the limbs of the lower U-shaped member.

Each shoe comprises a substantially rectangular pad having a flat surface to reside on the floor, the top of said pad having an elongated split sleeve and the component portions of said sleeve being snapped and fitted removably on the portions of the U-member with which they cooperate.

Then, too, it has been found desirable and helpful to the user to provide the split sleeves with centrally positioned metal clips which embrace the otherwise separable portions of the sleeves and serve to maintain the latter in their intended attached and suitably retained positions.

The present invention also features a frame construction wherein the upper U-shaped member not only inclines forwardly and upwardly but is slightly larger, that is wider, than the lower U-shaped member and is disposed in a plane above the same. Furthermore the ends of the upper shaped member are separated and are fitted telescopingly into a sleeve-like coupling which allows said ends to slide in and out and to expand and contract whereby to permit the use of a stout resilient rod stock but to afford the same the yielding properties required when the user, usually a man is, let us say, in the heavyweight class.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of the improved knee pad construction;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the plane of the section line 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a detail section on the section, line 33 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the stand or frame is of onepiece construction. That is to say, it is made from a single length of stout bendable rod stock which when bent provides a substantially horizontal U-shaped member 4 and a companion upwardly and forwardly inclined U-shaped member 6. The limbs 8 of of the U-member 4 have their forward ends connected by a rounded bight portion 10. The rearward end portions 12 are curved and directed laterally upward and are joined to the rearward end portions 14 of the straight but inclined limbs or arms 16 of the upper U-member 6. The bight portion of this member 6 is rounded but the end or terminal portions 18 instead of being connected in a positive manner are fitted slidingly into an elongated coupling tube 20. It should be noted in connection with these two U-members 4 and 6 that the upper one 6 is larger in plan, that is is wider than the one therebeneath FIG. 1. The cushion on which the user kneels directly is denoted by the numeral 22 and it is of general ovate form and plan and comprises an appropriate casing 24 with suitable cushioning material 26 therein. This cushion, that is the bottom side, has suitable hems 28 connected thereto and embracing the bight and limb portions of the upper U- member 6. The marginal portions of the cushion 22 can and preferably do extend beyond the bight and limb portions of the member 6. In fact, the projecting rearward end portion is provided with a suitably attached leg strap 30. Also the overhanging forward portion is provided with a similar complemental leg strap 32.

The aforementioned shoes which are employed to stabilize the frame means or stand are each basically the same in construction. The two side shoes are denoted at 34 and the in-between forward or front shoe is denoted for sake of distinction at 36. Each shoe is, however, the same in construction and comprises an elongated substantially rectangular pad 38 having a flat bottom side 40, the median portion of the top side being fashioned into an upstanding sleeve which is split as at 42 to provide semicircular grips 44 which snap over and embrace the limb or bight portion of the frame member 4 in the manner shown. C-shaped clips 46 are also provided and these clips are fitted over the central or mid-portions of the split sleeves to thus hold the component portions 44 securely in place. It is reiterated that the two side shoes 34 are connected to the limbs or legs 16 while the forward or front shoe 36 is connected to the bight portion between said limbs.

It will be noted that the cushion is saddled, through the medium of the hems 28, atop the yieldable upper or top U-shaped member 6 and at the forward and rearward end portions 48 and 50, respectively, overhang and accordingly project beyond the forward and rearward end portions of the U-member 6. The intermediate portions 52 and 53 of the straps 32 and 30 are stitched in place with the ends of the straps projecting beyond the margins of the cushion (suitable distances, of course) to permit two simple cushion carried straps to comfortably but reliably secure the wearers knee in position for reliable usage. While this cushion and strap combination is disclosed in prior patent (Turner 2,465,472) it should be noted that there is an improvement here in that the cushioning media 26 is enclosed in a strong and durable jacket 24. Then, too, by having the two U-shaped members 4 and 6 approximately the same in length but with the bottom one narrower than the top one 6 and adaptable well balanced knee pad is had.

The overall pad when strapped in position on the users knee not only affords the expected degree of cushioned comfort but added poise and security is contributed by the addition or provision of the aforementioned anti-slipping rubber or equivalent shoes two side shoes 34 opposite each other adjacent the rearward strap means 30 and one inbetween shoe 36 cooperable with the forward curved bight portions of the two U-members and more particularly with the bottom one 4 results in equalized distribution of stresses and strains and, as experience has repeatedly shown, aptly and well serves the purposes for which this improved knee pad has been devised.

It is believed that a careful consideration of the views of the drawing and specification will enable the reader to obtain a clear and comprehensive understanding of the twin stand or frame characterized by the U-shaped components 4 and 6, the strap-equipped tough and durable cushion 22 saddled atop the upper U-shaped member 6 and the combination therewith of the surface contacting rest or shoes 34 and 36. With the construction shown extra coil springs, which are objectionable in prior art adaptations, are unnecessary. The self-adjusting ends 18 fitting telescopingly and slidingly in' the bore of the barrel or tubular coupling 20 (FIG. 3) constitute an adaptable feature. With the construction herein shown no Welded joints are necessary and a single rod is bent upon itself to provide the upper and lower U-shaped member with the free ends 18 adjustable in the bore of the barrel 20. The fact that the split sleeve shoes 34 and 36 are clipped in place as at 46 makes it possible to readily apply the shoes and subsequently to remove the same by first taking off the clips 34. The clips prevent slipping and sliding of the split sleeve and yet it is within the purview of the invention to adjust the sleeve 42 and consequently the base portions 38 by first removing a clip, making the adjustment and then restoring the clip to its desired position. These features and advantages contribute to the overall novelly constructed knee pad.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A knee pad for use by asphalt tile setters, floor layers and their workmen whose job requirements necessitate working in a kneeling position and shifting from one position to another comprising, in combination, a plurality of distributively spaced compressibly resilient companion shoes, each shoe comprising a pad having a flat bottom surface adapted to rest on the floor or other support surface, having a top surface provided with a split sleeve, a frame constituting a stand embodying upper and lower U-shaped members and formed from a length of rod stock, said lower member assuming a generally horizontal position when the device is being used, the split portions on the sleeve of each pad embracing adjacent cooperating portions of the aforementioned rod stock of the lower member of said stand, a substantially C-shaped clip attached to a midportion of at least one of the aforementioned sleeves and cooperating with the split portions thereof and adjustably connecting the same to the embraced portion of the rod stock in a manner to retain the coacting shoe in its given usable position, and a cushion saddled atop the upper member of said stand and provided at forward and rearward ends with attached leg encircling cushion-attaching straps.

2. A knee pad of the class described comprising a floor stand embodying yieldingly connected component members, a strap-equipped cushion mounted atop the top member and shoes detachably and adjustably mounted on component parts of the bottom member, each shoe comprising a compressibly resilient elongated pad having a flat bottom surface and provided on its top side with a split slwve, the component portions of said sleeve adapted to be snapped into a position of use on said bottom member, and an applicable and removable C-shaped spring clip saddled over a median portion of said sleeve.

References (Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,456,472 12/ 1948 Turner 224 2,888,775 6/1959 Thoeming 248-188.9

FRANK I. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Examiner.

R. J. SCANLAN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A KNEE PAD FOR USE BY ASPHALT TILE SETTERS, FLOOR LAYERS AND THEIR WORKMEN WHOSE JOB REQUIREMENTS NECESSITATE WORKING IN A KNEELING POSITION AND SHIFTING FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OF DISTRIBUTIVELY SPACED COMPRESSIBLY RESILIENT COMPANION SHOES, EACH SHOE COMPRISING A PAD HAVING A FLAT BOTTOM SURFACE ADAPTED TO REST ON THE FLOOR OR OTHER SUPPORT SURFACE, HAVING A TOP SURFACE PROVIDED WITH A SPLIT SLEEVE, A FRAME CONSTITUTING A STAND EMBODYING UPPER AND LOWER U-SHAPED MEMBERS AND FORMED FROM A LENGTH OF ROD STOCK, SAID LOWER MEMBER ASSUMING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL POSITION WHEN THE DEVICE IS BEING USED, THE SPLIT PORTIONS ON THE SLEEVE OF EACH PAD EMBRACING ADJACENT COOPERATING PORTIONS OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ROD STOCK OF THE LOWER MEMBER OF SAID STAND, A SUBSTANTIALLY C-SHAPED CLIP ATTACHED TO A MIDPORTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED SLEEVES AND COOPERATING WITH THE SPLIT PORTIONS THEROF AND ADJUSTABLY CONNECTING THE SAME TO THE EMBRACED PORTION OF THE ROD STOCK IN A MANNER TO RETAIN THE COACTING SHOE IN ITS GIVEN USABLE POSITION, AND A CUSHION SADDLED ATOP THE UPPER MEMBER OF SAID STAND AND PROVIDED AT FORWARD AND REARWARD ENDS WITH ATTACHED LEG ENCIRCLING CUSHION-ATTACHING STRAP.S 